Every year, thousands of non-citizens enter the USA to be with relatives, work, study, or adopt a better lifestyle. However, not everyone can enter the country in the same way. Wondering what the best way for you to enter the USA is? Well, the type of visa you need depends on your circumstances and purpose of stay. Read on to learn more.

How to Enter the USA Legally? 

Here are some ways for individuals and families to enter the USA lawfully, with the goal of eventually getting permanent residency and citizenship.

• Immigration Based On Family

Family-based immigration is by far the most common way for people to enter the United States. Foreign spouses or fiancés and unmarried children are allowed to accompany US citizens and legal residents. They can also sponsor parents and siblings who are 21 years old or older.

• Student Visas

Student visas are provided to people who wish to continue education in the United States. These visas are divided into two categories. An F visa will allow you to study an academic program or participate in language training in the United States. M visas are for non-academic programs or vocational training.  

• Work Visas

Employers who are unable to find competent individuals in the United States can sponsor a foreign worker with particular skills. Work visas come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some visas are for a set period after which the worker must return to their home country, while others are for a longer period.

• Investors Visa

You can also purchase a visa to enter the United States. Immigrant investor visas are available to foreign entrepreneurs who invest at least $500,000 in a business and establish at least five full-time jobs.

• Visa Lottery  

The Diversity Visa Lottery program is one of the more unusual methods to enter the USA. Every year, the government distributes 50,000 visas at random to people from countries with little immigration to the United States.

• Refugees/Asylum Seekers

People can also apply for asylum at a US port of entry if they can establish they have been or will be persecuted in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political beliefs. Anyone seeking the same protections from outside the United States is referred to as a refugee. Anyone who is in the United States illegally can apply for asylum.

The Bottom Line

These are six ways to enter the USA. An immigration attorney can help you determine the right kind of visa for you. They will also help you understand your rights and future opportunities in the USA. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and explore your options.

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